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from page 1... Dr Luna is the third university president

Dr. Luna’s message was of hope and excellence. She shared her future plans for the university under her leadership

In her speech she outlined her plans for the university. She aims to make the university one of the top HEIs in the country.

“We will forge stronger industry partnerships alongside customized curricular programs,” she said. She aims to increase access to quality education of Trinity University of Asia by embracing HyFlex and distance learning programs.

“We must make an effort to be a steady influence upon our students. Beyond the parameters of excellence we shall focus on resilience and character formation,” Dr. Luna added.

She is the first TUA alumni to be the University President, wherein she obtained her BS Nursing and Master of Arts in Nursing degrees at Trinity University of Asia.

The event was also live streamed on TUA events website, Facebook and Youtube.

TUA Peers, USC conduct Psychological First Aid webinar

USC kickstarts podcast on love

By: Alexsandra Juarez

As part of the love month celebration, the University Student Council (USC) aired its first podcast episode last February 18, 2022 with the theme “Feb-Ibig: Love In All Forms” and with special guest Dr. Maria Gia B. Sison.

Dr. Sison, a breast cancer survivor for years now, who is also the Philippine Leader for Livestrong Foundation, National Adviser of the Youth for Mental Health Coalition, and Head of Makati Medical Center’s Women Wellness Center, talked about the five languages of love. These languages were developed by Gary Chapman like the words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts.

Among the highlights in the podcast was when she answered questions from the Trinitians community regarding the five love languages, as she also reminded how essential it is to apply proper communication.

Trinitian’s love letter entries were also read and shared. Four lucky callers got the chance to ask their questions to Dr. Gia. She urged the listeners to be open, learn to value their worth, and not to blame themselves in any case of failed relationships.

The podcast was streamed via Zoom and TUA-USC Facebook page as it commenced the KwenTUAhan: The USC Podcast and hosted by Cyra Ocanada and Leul Gabriel Enchalar from the Communications and Public Relations Committee.

BY : Mikaela Rapadas

Trinitians enjoyed breakout rooms in order to share insights and deepen their self-understanding to build stronger connections in the First Aid Webinar. Photo Via : Trinity University of Asia

Anyone, not just professionals, can help promote healthy coping and provide a feeling of safety, calmness, and hope through paying attention to reactions, active listening, and practical assistance.

This was the message of Mr. Francis Ray Subong, VicePresident for Internal Affairs of the Philippine Guidance and Counselling Association, to the attendees of PROJECT HOPE: Mental Health Matters: The Psychological First Aid Webinar, last January 26, 2022, coorganized by TUA Peers and the University Student Council (USC).

“Peer support is very important in our lives, especially during this pandemic. PFA, in one way or another, will help not only ourselves but basically others,” said Mr. Subong.

He then shared a personal story of him being a counselor and how it helped him to apply the mental health continuum in determining self-care, social support, and professional care. Mr. Subong also tackled how human emotions play a crucial role in actions and how hood fluctuations or a shift in mood affect the pattern of movement on a daily basis. who can listen to us without any judgment,” he added.

Mr. Subong also gave situations when to refer a client, including the person not eating, exhibiting a destructive manner, lack of sleep for the past week, threatening or harming himself or others. He suggested asking for help from parents, relatives, co-workers, neighbors, friends, peers, local PNP, and barangay officials.

He also gave self-care tips such as talking with friends and loved ones, minimizing the intake of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, or non-prescription drugs, reminding one’s self that he/she is not responsible for solving other people’s problems, taking short breaks to eat, rest, and relax, studying or working at reasonable hours to prevent exhaustion, and reflecting on what part of the past made somebody keep going and what they can do to remain strong in difficult times.

The webinar also held an open forum for sharing of insights. A breakout session also took place for discussion of experiences and learnings. Dr. Alfiee BrelandNoble, Scientist Founder of the AAKOMA Project, Inc., and Senator Risa Hontiveros, author and principal sponsor of the Mental Health Law, concluded the event by delivering their inspirational messages.

CMT tallies 82% rate in the March 2022 MTLE

By: Lianne Gwyn Prado

Trinity University of Asia- College of Medical Technology (TUA-CMT) garnered an impressive 82.35% passing rate beyond the national passing rate of 46.08% in the March 2022 Medical Technology Licensure Exam (MTLE) that produced 14 new registered medical technologists out of 17 takers.

“Certainly, the CMT educational system will always be the key factor in our performance in the MTLE,” asserted Dr. Mark Francisco, Officer-InCharge of the college.

He said that honing the students with a quality curriculum combined with skills-development activities and delicate training from the faculty were utilized by CMT that contributed to the success of the students.

Teamwork was also emphasized by Dr. Francisco as this is what they implement in the college.

Mrs. Rona Trinidad, Academic Head of CMT, also shared tips for the upcoming September 2022 MTLE takers. She mentioned that having balance between review sessions would also help the students to pass the board examination.

According to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), 1,268 examinees out of 2,752 passed the exam held in PRC testing centers in the country.

TUA celebrates 59th Founding Anniversary

By: Charles Worren E. Laureta & Jessa Mae G. Gabasa

Given the ongoing pandemic, Trinity University of Asia (TUA) opened its 59th Founding Anniversary via online channels last February 19, 2022 with the theme “Celebrating Abundance Towards the Diamond Years”.

The celebration began with a thanksgiving mass officiated by the Most Rev. Brent Alawas, the Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. It was immediately followed by a short welcome remark from the former president of TUA, Dr. Wilfred Tiu, as he greeted the TUA community for its anniversary. A glimpse of the recently opened Molecular Biology Laboratory from the administration of Dr. Tiu was also presented.

A discussion of a five-year review of unforgettable accomplishments was initiated by, Dr. Fernando Trinidad, Dean of College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CHTM), Dr. John Lorena, Dean of Saint Luke’s College of Nursing (SLCN), and Dr. Rufo Aggarao, Dean of College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS).

According to Dr. Trinidad, the Trinity entrep-corner with Robinsons Magnolia was the unforgettable accomplishment of his department during Dr. Tiu’s administration. The program aimed to provide Trinitians with an entrepreneurial mindset as TUA’s partnership with Robinsons started in 2018, “The objectives of this entrep-corner is to provide our students and pronunciate the real taste of detail experience, how to create entrepreneurial mindset, and to haul entrepreneurial skills,” he said.

Dr. Aggarao revealed that their accomplishment includes the growing number of enrollees in College Allied Health and Sciences amidst the pandemic, and the improving line-up of faculty members in their college. During his talk, he also mentioned applying for Commission on Higher Education (CHED) accreditation for his college.

Dr. Ferdinand Bunag, Dean of CEIS, Mr. Randy Lagdaan, Information Communication Technology (ICT) Director, and Ms. Caroline Balmes, Trinitian Community Section Development Head (TCDS) discussed their greatest challenges in the community. According to Dr. Bunag and Mr. Lagdaan, there were already plans on having the Electronic Learning System Management (eLMS) before COVID-19 happened, but at the time when they were practicing, pandemic came. The limited interaction and lack of manpower were a few of the problems that they have overcome. Ms. Balmes mentioned that her struggle was lack of social interaction within the community yet they were grateful to the top management and Trinitian community for supporting and extending help.

The student leaders also thanked Dr. Tiu for allowing and making a diverse community for everyone and by making the institution a safe space second to home.

Multiple laboratories in the new Health Sciences Center were formally opened and blessed just in time for the celebration of the university’s 59th anniversary.

The next set of speakers, Dr. Juliet Photo Via : Trinity University of Asia via Dr. Noel Tiburcio K. Bucoy, Dean of Graduate School, Dr. Jinky Gamit, Manager of Marketing and Communications Office (MCO), and Dr. Maria Antonia Capili, Director of University Research and Development Center (URDC), also narrated their experiences with Dr. Tiu.

For Dr. Bucoy, she admired Dr. Tiu for his goodness as he was an exemplary leader. Dr. Capili recalled her experience where Dr. Tiu gave an opportunity despite being down during that time. Dr. Gamit also described the former TUA president as a caring leader who checks up on the health of everyone and a generous person who usually offers meals to his colleagues.

Subsequently, Dr. Gisela Luna, current University President, gave an inspirational message about abundance.

“Abundance is not about financial gain or the wealth that you have, but it is about being able to open oneself to the true bonds that can be formed in friendships and relationships, as well as with self in terms of our well being,” she said.

The week-long 59th Founding Anniversary is continued from April 2-8, 2022 celebrated in both in-person and virtual events.